Heron Park Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud of their school.

They explain that everyone is welcome 'because of our values'. Pupils try hard to show these values of being respectful, curious, independent, resilient and aspirational. They are delighted when these positive behaviours are spotted and recognised by nominations, especially from their friends.

Pupils are happy at school. Mostly, they get along well together. Bullying is rare, but sometimes pupils can be unkind.

When this happens, teachers help resolve things quickly. Pupils trust staff to deal with any concerns that they may have, and this helps them to feel safe. They are reassured by the presence of worry boxes to help them... raise any problems.

Pupils have opportunities to develop responsibilities in the school, including becoming prefects, play leaders or helping to look after the chickens or goats. Pupils have lots of ideas which they are keen to share once pupil parliament gets going again, after a pause during the pandemic.

Leaders, staff and governors are a dedicated and ambitious team.

Together they have brought about considerable improvement to the school. Pupils now benefit from a good standard of education.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Despite a number of staff changes, senior leaders, supported by the trust, provide clear strategic leadership.

They have successfully prioritised the right things to improve the quality of education for pupils. Leaders have made the development of staff a key priority. They have targeted training well so that, for example, reading is taught consistently and expertly.

Staff feel well supported by leaders.

Leaders have made English and mathematics a priority. In these subjects, the curriculum is well ordered so that pupils build knowledge well.

Teachers know what to teach and when. They quickly spot any gaps pupils have in their knowledge and provide the support pupils need to understand and catch up. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are carefully supported so that they experience success.

Leaders, working with the trust development team, have designed an ambitious curriculum for pupils. They have considered the important knowledge for pupils to learn. They have sequenced this carefully.

However, in some subjects, the curriculum is new and is not yet fully in place. This means that pupils do not know as much as they could in all subjects. Leaders have accurately identified these subjects and are working to make the necessary improvements.

Subject leaders are being developed so that they can support staff as these curriculum changes are made.

The curriculum in the early years is developed well. Children get off to a good start.

Language development is interwoven through all activities. Children chat happily with staff and with each other as they learn. Leaders know that the early years curriculum needs careful alignment to the wider school curriculum as it is developed.

Pupils are excited by the new school library. This sits at the heart of the school. It symbolises the importance placed on learning to read.

Teaching phonics is an important part of this. Pupils learn these phonic skills quickly and well. Anyone who struggles or starts to fall behind is identified promptly and given the help they need to catch up.

All pupils, including those with SEND, benefit from books that match their needs well. This helps them to be successful and gain confidence. Pupils thoroughly enjoy the stories that staff read to them.

Staff provided videos for parents during the pandemic to share ways of helping children to enjoy books.

Pupils mostly work hard and behave well during lessons. Occasionally, they can lose interest and behave less well or become distracted.

Teachers are usually quick to deal with this and to re-engage pupils in their learning. Leaders have been working closely in partnership with parents to help emphasise the importance of pupils coming to school regularly and on time.

Leaders ensure that pupils' personal development is planned for carefully.

As a result, pupils remember much about staying healthy and keeping safe. Pupils benefit from a wide range of clubs and activities, such as trips that enhance the curriculum.

Governors have recently been given more information to help them further understand the work of the school.

They are using this to question leaders.This has increased their capacity to help drive the school forward.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have made sure that everyone is aware of the importance of safeguarding and of what to do to help keep pupils safe. Staff are vigilant. They make sure to record and report any safeguarding concerns.

Warm relationships with pupils and families help ensure that needs are known. Leaders make sure that help is secured quickly and reviewed regularly for those who need it.

The curriculum is adapted to respond to risks as they are identified, such as online safety.

Pupils regularly learn how to keep themselves safe.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The school's curriculum is not yet as effective as it could be in some subjects. The revised curriculum is not yet fully in place.

As a result, pupils do not learn and remember the planned curriculum fully. It is clear from leaders' actions that they are well underway with their work to implement the refined curriculum, but there is still more to do. For this reason, the transitional arrangements have been applied.

• Some leaders are new to their roles or have not yet seen the new curriculum plans. This means they are not able to support teachers to deliver the intended curriculum consistently well across the school. Senior leaders should provide further training so that the curriculum for all subjects is implemented consistently and is enabling pupils to learn successfully and achieve well over time.